Universal Pictures Media Dossier
For: Dr. Gregory Levey Strategic Media Relations PC8107
By: Nikolai Pajkovic 500581586 [email protected]
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The aim of this public relations campaign is to first and foremost announce and promote the release of The Hunt directed Craig Zobel and produced by Blumhouse Productions. The film will be released in theatres across North America on June 12th, 2020. Universal Pictures cancelled the film’s initial release date of September 27th, 2019 following the Dayton, El Paso, and Gilroy shootings. Therefore, a secondary objective of this campaign is to offer the public clarification for the film’s initial cancellation, as well as provide an explanation as to why this summer presents us with a more suitable release date. In doing so, our talking points, backgrounder, media release and Q&A aim to help Universal Pictures deter any unnecessary and unwarranted criticism of the film leading up to its release. I do not think that Universal Pictures should shy away from the media or from discussing the film’s potentially provocative subject matter, but when doing so should stick to our talking points. From a marketing/promotions perspective, encouraging this kind of conversation around the film will likely draw major media attention, which would possibly lead to increased box office numbers.
In this dossier, a fact sheet is offered as a quick way for journalists to acquire information about the film and its release. Our talking points are intended to be used by Universal Pictures employees when dealing with the media. They aim to diminish any instances of inflammatory questioning and also look to gently reverse the narrative that The Hunt could promote violence.
The backgrounder will provide more extensive details about the release of The Hunt, information about the film, its plot, and its cast/crew, as well as cover specifics regarding its postponed release. The media release will both announce the film’s release date and offer commentary on its previous cancellation and potentially controversial nature. The Q&A consists of primarily ‘tough’ questions and our suggested responses.
2 FILM RELEASE FACT SHEET
WHAT The Premier of THE HUNT
WHO THE HUNT director Craig Zobel; producers Jason Blum and Damon Lindelof; cast members Hilary Swank, Emma Roberts, Ike Barinholtz, Justin Hartley, and Betty Gilpin
WHERE Regal L.A Live
1000 Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA
WHEN Thursday, June 11, 2020
6:30PM – Press Call Time
7:30PM – Celebrity Arrivals
8:30PM – Screening Begins
MEDIA RELATIONS TALKING POINTS
• At Universal pictures we believe in bold, challenging, and visionary storytelling.
• In no way does The Hunt promote or endorse violence of any kind. Oppositely, the film intends to comment on the dangers of political polarization in America and condemn the violence it can lead too.
• The decision to cancel the film was always temporary. It was out of respect to those close to the shooting tragedies, as well as out of sensitivity to the unstable social climate produced in their wake.
• The story being told in the The Hunt is in no way connected to mass shootings, nor does it depict any mass shootings or terrorist attacks.
• The political aims of the film are to unify audiences, not divide them. (Paraphrased from Zobel)
3 BACKGROUNDER
Summary
Universal Pictures will be releasing The Hunt directed by Craig Zobel and produced by Blumhouse Productions throughout North America on June 12th, 2020. It is a satirical social thriller that follows a group of twelve strangers who have been unknowingly selected for a game in which a group of wealthy elites hunt them for sport.
The film was initially set to release September 27th 2019. Following the mass shootings in Dayton, El Paso, and Gilroy the film temporarily cancelled. Having allowed nine months to pass since these events, and giving time for the political climate in America to stabilize, Universal Pictures has decided that this summer will be a suitable time for the film’s release.
As a reminder, The Hunt contains no depictions and was in no way related to the shootings in Dayton, El Paso, and Gilroy. Universal Pictures never intended for the film to be completely canned either. The decision to postpone the film was out of respect and sensitivity. Universal Pictures fully supports the film’s cast, crew and artistic vision. The film tackles bold subject matter, but does so in a satirical way. We look forward to audiences enjoying this unique, thrilling, and entertaining film this summer.
Postponed Release
Universal Pictures initially intended for The Hunt to be released on Sept. 27th, 2019. However, in the wake of the Dayton, El Paso, and Gilroy shootings, and out of respect to those close to these events, we chose to temporarily cancel its release.
Universal Pictures first pulled The Hunt’s trailer and accompanying marketing materials on August 7th, and three days later officially cancelled its release. At the time, we provided this statement:
“WHILE UNIVERSAL PICTURES HAD ALREADY PAUSED THE MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR THE HUNT, AFTER THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION, THE STUDIO HAS DECIDED TO CANCEL OUR PLANS TO RELEASE THE FILM. WE STAND BY OUR FILMMAKERS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DISTRIBUTE FILMS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BOLD AND VISIONARY CREATORS, LIKE THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SATIRICAL SOCIAL THRILLER, BUT WE UNDERSTAND THAT NOW IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME TO RELEASE THIS FILM.” (https://www.thehunt.movie/)
4 Additional Film Details
Loosely based on Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game (1924), the film follows a group of twelve working class American’s who have unknowingly been chosen for “The Hunt”; a game in which a group of wealthy elites pay to hunt and kidnap regular pedestrians for sport. For the elites, “The Hunt” is the ultimate luxury and exclusive passtime, but for the selected participants its a hellish survival of the fittest.
The Hunt stars Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby), Emma Roberts (American Horror Story), Ike Barinholtz (The Mindy Project), Justin Hartley (This Is Us) and Betty Gilpin (Glow). The film was produced by Blumhouse Productions, the production company behind films such as Paranormal Activity, Split, The Purge, and award-winning Get Out. It is director Craig Zobel’s debut feature film, after years of directing television with credits on shows including Westworld and One Dollar. The screenplay was written by Nick Cuse and Damon Lindelof, who along with Zobel had previously worked together on HBO’s series The Leftovers.
New Release Details
The Hunt will premiere at 8:30PM on Thursday, June 11th, 2020 at the Regal L.A Live in California. The following day, June 12th, the film will be released throughout North American theatres. It will be offered to audiences by all major exhibitors in both the United States and Canada.
Two weeks following its North American release, The Hunt will be released in select theatres across Europe including in countries such as the UK, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and The Netherlands. We hope for the film to also be released in Latin American and Australasian countries, however these dates are currently TBD.
Company Background
Universal Pictures is a major American film studio, owned by Comcast through its subsidiary NBCUniversal. The company was founded in 1912, making it America’s oldest surviving film studio, and is considered to be a part of Hollywood’s “Big Six”. Its headquarters and production studios are located on Universal City Plaza Drive in Universal City, California.
Universal Studios believes in bold and visionary storytelling. They have brought the world legendary and record-breaking films such as Jaws (1975), E.T the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Jurassic Park (1993), Despicable Me (2013), and Jurassic World (2015).
CEO: Ronald Meyer President: Jimmy Horrowitz Chairman: Jeff Shell and Donna Langley
5 MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10th Rebecca Wolfson Universal Pictures [email protected]
Universal Pictures Announces Release Date for Previously Shelved Film “The Hunt”
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.: Universal Pictures today announced that they will be releasing satirical social thriller The Hunt directed by Craig Zobel and produced by Blumhouse Productions on June 12th, 2020. After careful consideration, Universal Pictures ensures that this summer is a more suitable time for the films release.
Universal Pictures initially intended for The Hunt to be released on Sept. 27th, 2019. However, in the wake of the Dayton, El Paso, and Gilroy shootings, and out of respect to those close to these tragedies, the company chose to temporarily cancel its release. It was a timely, thoughtful, and responsible decision. Now, with a release date set for June, the studio has let nine months pass since these tragedies occurred and believe it is time for the film be shown and enjoyed by audiences across the world.
Jimmy Horrowitz, President of Universal Pictures has provided the following comments concerning the films new release date, “First, I must clarify that in no way does the The Hunt promote or endorse violence of any kind. Quite the opposite. The film is intended to comment on political polarization and condemn the violence it can lead too. It is a satirical, suspenseful, bold and exciting film that was created by a hardworking and incredibly talented cast and crew. We made the decision to temporarily cancel its release purely out of respect and sensitivity. After careful consideration, we have decided this summer is a more appropriate time for the world to see this film.”
The Hunt stars Hilary Swank, Emma Roberts, Ike Barinholtz, Justin Hartley and Betty Gilpin. It follows a group of twelve strangers who have been unknowingly selected for a game in which a group of wealthy elites hunt them for sport.
About: Universal Pictures is a major American film studio, owned by Comcast through its subsidiary NBCUniversal. The company was founded in 1912, making it America’s oldest surviving film studio, and is considered to be a part of Hollywood’s “Big Six”. Its headquarters and production studios are located on Universal City Plaza Drive in Universal City, California.
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6 QUESTION AND ANSWER
Q: Has the film been edited or altered since cancelling its original release? A: No, the film has been left as is.
Q: If its controversial material and provocative subject matter haven’t changed, what makes it okay to release the film now? A: The film was not cancelled because of its material or subject matter alone. We made the decision to temporarily cancel the release of The Hunt purely out of respect and sensitivity. The film was always intended to be released eventually.
Q: You cancelled the film due to the mass shootings last summer. Are you concerned that this film could inspire real-world violence or political upheaval? A: We understand that violence and political tension are critical issues in America at the moment, as well as for the world at large. These are not issues we consider lightly. In no way does the The Hunt promote or endorse violence of any kind, nor does the film contain any depictions of mass shootings. On the contrary, the film intends to comment on the dangers of political polarization in American and condemn the violence it can lead too. The film is a satirical representation that is set in a hypothetical reality.
Q: How violent and shocking can audiences expect this film to be? A: The level of violence in this film hardly differs from that of other horror/thriller films and in this sense stays true to its genre.
Q: Will the film be released in Europe? A: Yes, two weeks following its North American release.
Q: Do you think the socio-political climate in America is stable enough for a film this controversial to be seen by the public? A: At Universal pictures we believe in bold, challenging, and visionary storytelling. Many viewers will enjoy this film purely for its entertainment value, while others may chose to engage with its underlying social commentaries. This is one of the most important aspects of film; while being forms of entertainment movies also have the ability to provoke discussion around complex and pertinent issues. We believe there is no better time than now to have constructive discussion about the issues explored in this film. The Hunt aims to entertain and unify audiences, not divide them.
Q: Did President Trumps comments on Twitter have anything to do with you cancelling the film? A: No they did not. Firstly, President Trump never mentioned the title of the film he was criticizing in his tweets and it is still unclear if he was even referring to our film. Secondly, we had already froze all advertising and marketing days before his comments and were simply waiting on various administrative processes before we could officially pull the film’s release.
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